By Gbayor Charles Gbayor | UM News Monrovia
Louisiana, Montserrado County–In a demonstration of the United Methodist Church’s commitment to agriculture and community empowerment, Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire Jr. visited the United Methodist Development Agriculture Program (UMRAP) farm in White Plains, Montserrado County. The Bishop’s visit underscored the church’s dedication to fostering agricultural development and food security in Liberia.
Bishop Quire commended the Department of Agriculture of the United Methodist Church for its tireless efforts in advancing agricultural initiatives across the country. He reaffirmed the church’s continuous support for the department through partnerships with organizations such as Bishop John Yamasow’s Agriculture Initiative and the General Board of Global Ministries.
The United Methodist Development Agriculture Program (UMRAP) has long been at the forefront of promoting sustainable agriculture in Liberia. The project has played a crucial role in improving food security and livelihoods of rural communities through training programs, farming initiatives, and resource distribution.
Bishop Quire, during his visit, toured the farm and interacted with local farmers and program beneficiaries. He emphasized the importance of agriculture in reducing poverty and fostering economic independence among Liberians.
“Agriculture is not just about growing crops; it is about sustaining lives, building communities, and strengthening our economy,” Bishop Quire stated. “The United Methodist Church remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering Liberians through agriculture.”
The Bishop’s remarks highlighted the essential role of the Department of Agriculture of the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC)of the United Methodist Church, acknowledging their commitment to implementing agricultural projects that align with the church’s mission of service and empowerment.
“We will continue to support the agriculture department through YAI/GBGM and other local partners to ensure that this initiative flourishes,” he assured.
His words were met with enthusiasm from local farmers and project beneficiaries, who expressed their gratitude for the church’s continued investment in agriculture.
According to the United Methodist Rural Agriculture Development Project(UMRAP)Executive Director, Mr. Ezekiel Tye Freeman, the department is committed to fostering agriculture initiatives at the White Plains, Camphor, and Docose.
He said, When I took over in February, we had a challenge in rescuing the palm seeding,tensify gari production, and improving other activities.
“By June this year, we are expected to plant about 7000, seven thousand palm seeding at Camphor, White Plains, and Decose”
The UMRAP chief lamented that they are grateful to the LAC/UMC for the level of support from its partners, but pray for more support. “We are expected to start agricultural activity in Bong County with the United Methodist Church mission stations, and this requires resources.
While the UMRAP initiative has made significant progress, challenges such as limited funding, access to modern farming equipment, and unpredictable weather conditions continue to pose obstacles. However, Bishop Quire’s visit served as a morale booster, reaffirming the church’s unwavering commitment to overcoming these challenges.
Leaders within the United Methodist Church’s Agriculture Department also used the occasion to outline future plans, including expanding training programs, introducing modern farming techniques, and strengthening partnerships with local and international agricultural organizations.
Bishop Quire’s visit to the UMRAP farm in Louisiana, Montserrado County, was a powerful statement of the United Methodist Church’s dedication to agricultural development in Liberia. His commendation of the agriculture department and commitment to continued support signal a promising future for sustainable farming initiatives in the country.
As Liberia continues to prioritize food security and rural empowerment, partnerships between faith-based organizations and local farmers will remain critical in transforming lives and fostering economic growth.
